This is Chapter 1 of Forgotten Shamans vol 1: The Bride of the Tao.
I do not own Shaman King or any of its characters. I'm just a gigantic fan XD…
Recap:
There is none, cause this is the first chapter :)
This is my first Shaman King story. I hope you like it. Please read and review :)
Arigato!
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"I don't see why I have to go through this."
"Now, Ren. It is important that you have a bride worthy of our history."
"Now is not the time nor place to think about things like this! They are frivolous! I have a battle to prepare for. I have better things to do."
"Don't worry, Ren." Jun turned to look out the window, and started fanning herself lazily with her talismans. The sun was starting to dip below the black, stone mountains that engulfed their family estate. "I'll make sure its over quickly."
"Hmph." Ren sat back down on one of the chairs that lined both sides of the drawing room. His bright, gold eyes glanced over the paintings on the opposite wall – calligraphy, poetry, paintings of demons and goddesses.
The sun was about to disappear completely when an explosion occurred.
"She's here." Ren's mother calmly announced. She ran a hand over her skirt, straightening a few folds here and there.
"She got past the Kyonshi. I suppose she can fight." Jun smiled. "This is starting to be entertaining."
"Those Kyonshi are weak. A baby could destroy them." Ren grumbled.
"Well my Kyonshi should more than make up for that." A Kyonshi stepped out from the shadows and stood behind his priest. He was taller than the other kyonshis, and not mismatched. It was common for the kyonshis to be made up of different body parts. But this Kyonshi was almost perfect. He retained his original, strong and muscular body. His face was hidden by the shadow of the talisman stuck on him.
A crash echoed down the hallway, and the body of a kyonshi soldier flew through the door, breaking it and the neighboring partition down.
Ren looked up from his seat. But before the dust had cleared, Jun had already sent her kyonshi, Pai Long, racing towards the shadow at the end of the hall. Pai Long lept up, ricochet off the ceiling, and aimed a kick right at his opponent. The attack connected, and then he ricocheted off, landing in front of Jun. The dust was finally settling, and Ren saw that the attack was blocked.
The girl stood in the shadows, waiting to see if anything else would happen, before taking a step towards the party.
Her hair was black with silver streaks in it. It fell a little past her shoulders, straight. Part of her hair fell over her right eye.
She wore a black, halter vest with a high Chinese collar. The top was held in front by a yellow gold snap embroidered in the shape of a feather. The vest ended a little below her chest, showing her sun kissed, well-toned body.
Her matching black skirt was about mid thigh, and hung straight with no frills. The hem of the outfit was embroidered with silver and purple thread. When she walked, Ren noticed that there were slits on both sides of the skirt, and she was wearing black shorts on the inside.
Her boots were knee high with a silver fur lined top and ties.
"You're a fair fighter." Jun smiled. "But that won't be enough to defeat Pai Long." She whipped her skirt aside and pulled out some talismans from her garter.
"Jun!" A deep voice echoed through the room. "That is no way to greet your sister-in-law."
"She's not my sister-in-law yet, Father." Jun sulked.
"Jing Yue, it is good to see you. I hope the journey was pleasant."
The girl walked to Ren's mother, who was seated on an ornamental Chinese chair by a round, white marble dining table.
Yue made a fist with one hand, and held it against the palm of the other hand, which she kept straight. She bowed, holding her hands forward, and at the level of her head. It was a warrior's greeting to his lord, and Ren was a little surprised that this girl knew of such traditional greetings.
"It journey was long, but easy. Thank you for your hospitality." Yue's head was still bowed, her hand still held up.
"Shhh, dispense with the formality. We are practically family."
"Thank you." Yue stood up straight. "I brought some gifts with me. I left them with your servants by the door."
"Oh, you are too considerate." Ren's mother chuckled.
"It's expected of me, especially when I'm meeting my in-laws for the first time."
"Such tiresome conversations." Ren thought. "This is such a waste of time." He remained in his seat, in silent rebellion, and wondered about more important things, like that Asakura Yoh that everyone was making a big deal about.
Yoh comes from a strong shaman family, which means that he should be a strong shaman himself. Ren was actually flying to Tokyo in two days to meet this Asakura, and make it clear that he was the stronger shaman, and that he was the one who would be Shaman King.